Wholesale: Products & Services

Resale - Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) - V.30

Product Description

CenturyLink's retail telecommunication service, Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), is available for resale by Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLECs) to their end-users. Additional information about resale of CenturyLink's retail services can be found in Resale - General.

ATM is a connection-oriented communication service that uses Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) technology. The service provides your end-users with high-speed, low-delay, information transfer capacity that supports applications that require near-real time mixed media (e.g., data, video, image, voice).

ATM requires end-user terminal equipment that functions as a multiplexer, bridger, router, hub or ATM switch. This equipment is purchased separately from CenturyLink ATM Service and must meet industry standards. The terminal equipment accumulates your end-user's traffic and puts it into a cell relay format suitable for transmission over the CenturyLink ATM Network.

Loop Diversity and/or Avoidance as defined under the CenturyLink™ Rates and Services Schedule No.1 (QC RSS No.1), or the state specific Tariffs/Catalogs/Price Lists is available with ATM, however additional charges may apply.

The components that make up CenturyLink ATM Service are:

• Network Interface - The point that your end-user's data transmission enters the network that supports ATM . It is the point of interconnection between CenturyLink's communication facility and your end-user's terminal equipment.
• Digital Service Level 1 (DS1) and Optical Access Link (OAL) - Provides access to the ATM Network by connecting your end-user's facilities at the network interface with a corresponding ATM cell transfer element. This element is only available at ATM service points.
• Stand-alone Optical Access Link (SAOAL) - Connects your end-user's facility to ATM Networks provided by service providers other than CenturyLink. Private Line Transport mileage may be required in conjunction with a SAOAL in order to connect your end-user's serving wire center or node with the serving wire center or node of another ATM provider.
• Inverse Multiplexing over ATM EASE - Allows bandwidth increments between DS1 and Digital Service Level 3 (DS3) levels using DS1 access links. EASE utilizes 2 to 8 DS1s and bundles them together to create a solid bandwidth increment of 3.045, 4.567, 6.090, 7.613, 9.135, 10.658 or 12.180 megabits (Mbps).
• Port - Physical entry point into the ATM Network for OAL or other compatible private line facilities, such as DS3 service. They are the originating and terminating points for Virtual Path Connections (VPC) and Virtual Channel Connections (VCC). The ports include the electronic equipment used in connecting these service elements to the ATM Network. Your end-user will be able to allocate bandwidth to applications at their designated transmission speeds.
• Logical Connections - Connections that function as bi-directional Permanent Virtual Connections (PVCs). ATM will support a point-to-point logical connection configuration between two ports. Logical Connections include:
  • Virtual Channel Connections (VCC) - Logical connection from one ATM port to another ATM port within the CenturyLink ATM Network. VCCs are available with all ATM class of service levels.
  • Virtual Path Connections (VPC) - Collection of VCCs routed together as a unit for which your end-user has the ability to manage the speeds of the individual VCCs within the end-users designated bandwidth. VPCs are available with all ATM class of service levels, at end-user -selected speed(s) depending on your end-user's networking requirements.
• Service Points - Geographic locations designated by CenturyLink as to where the ATM Network can be accessed and where the ATM Network ports are located. The ATM Service Points are listed in the National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA) FCC Tariff 4.
• Service Classes are:
  • Constant Bit Rate (CBR) - Available with VCCs or VPCs, CBR carries a constant flow of information (constant bit rate traffic). CBR includes overheads and is the end-user selected upper limit for cell rate traffic on a logical connection. The traffic parameter for a CBR PVC is the Peak Cell Rate (PCR). PCR specifies the highest cell rate a end-user is provided on a connection. The PCR of a CBR PVC is used to calculate an Equivalent Cell Rate (ECR). The sum of all ECR PVCs must be less than the speed of the associated port. When cells exceed the peak cell rate, the cells are discarded upon entry into the ATM Network.
  • Variable Bit Rate real time-(VBRrt) - Variable Bit Rate supports a connection carrying information flowing at variable rates. It is available with VCCs or VPC's. VBRrt is for applications requiring restraints on delay and delay variation. Three traffic parameters describe the bandwidth characteristics. VBR parameters are the Peak Cell Rate (PCR), the Sustained Cell Rate (SCR) and the Maximum Burst Size (MBS). The end-user selects the bandwidth characteristics of a VBR PVC by choosing the appropriate SCR and MBS, and the PCR will then be set at two times the SCR for VBRrt. The sum of all PVC ECRs may equal, but not exceed, the speed of the associated port. VBRrt is not available on EASE and T1 ATM ports.
  • Variable Bit Rate non real time (VBRnrt) - Available with VCCs or VPC's, VBRNRT carries a variable rate of information (variable bit rate traffic). The PCR of a VBRnrt connection may equal but not exceed the speed of the associated port. Maximum Burst Speed (MBS) is the maximum numbers of cells that can be sent at the Peak Cell Rate. A end-user may send bursts of 100 or 200 cells over a VBR PVC up to the PCR. The average cell rate for that PVC must not exceed the chosen SCR.
  • Available Bit Rate (ABR)-Supports a connection carrying a specific amount of data. ABR parameters include PCR and Minimum Cell Rate (MCR). MCR will automatically be set to 10% of the end-user specified PCR. The bandwidth available to the ABR service can vary up to PCR, but will not go below MCR. ABR is not for real time applications. It is for applications that will tolerate variable bandwidth with a minimum limit that the necessary bandwidth cannot fall below. ABR PVCs can only be provisioned as VCCs. ABR is not available on EASE and T1 ATM ports.
  • Unspecified Bit Rate (UBR) - Is the best effort service designed to support connections carrying information at variable rates over VCCs. UBR does not provide traffic related service guarantees. The Peak Cell Rate specifies the highest cell rate that will be allowed on a connection, but not guaranteed. When cells exceed the Peak Cell Rate, the cells are discarded upon entry into the ATM Network. The Peak Cell Rate of a UBR logical connection may equal but not exceed the speed of the associated port.
• Cell Transfer - Transfers information between Network Interfaces connected to the ATM Network at speed(s) selected by your end-user for VCCs or VPCs. Your end-user must select a Service Class for each logical connection. The total speed of Cell Transfer elements on the ATM configuration may not exceed the associated Cell Transfer port speed.
• Central Office Connecting Channel (COCC) - Provides the interconnection from the multiplexer or other CenturyLink facility port to an ATM port when your end-user accesses ATM via a private line transport facility. This facility will require either multiplexing to be compatible with ATM transmission speed or port-to-port connectivity. A COCC may be used to connect a SAOAL to a private line transport facility.

Availability

ATM is offered on an intrastate basis in Arizona, Minnesota, New Mexico, South Dakota and Utah and is grandfathered in Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. Interstate ATM is offered throughout CenturyLink QC.

Effective October 15, 2018, this service is grandfathered in all states in which the product is available and cannot be ordered as a new service. Effective March 1, 2019, this product will be eliminated.

ATM is only available in designated wire centers. CenturyLink's Network Disclosure, disclosure number 400 provides information on availability of ATM by CenturyLink wire center.

Terms and Conditions

General resale terms and conditions information is located in Resale - General.

Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) Service requests requires a Funding Approval for Digital Signal Level 3 (DS3) and above port speeds.

Customers wanting a coterminous contract will need to contact their CenturyLink Sales Executive to obtain a contract identification number. The contract identification number must be noted in the Variable Term Agreement (VTA) field of the Access Service Request (ASR), or Local Service Request (LSR) form. A signed Service Acknowledgement Form or contract amendment is required if ordering ATM via the IR ATM Service Request Form. If contract terms are requested and no contract identification number is provided on the ASR or the LSR the ASR/LSR number will be used as a contract identification number for the request. Contract terms must be noted in the VTA field and the remark field of the LSR or ASR when no contract identification number is being provided. The Resale Discount must be requested in the remark field for all circuits that qualify.

NOTE: When requesting the Resale Discount additional ordering requirements apply; see additional information in the Ordering Section of this document.

For more information on Terms and Conditions, contact Account Team / Sales Executives and Service Managers.

Technical Publications

Technical characteristics, including Network Channel and Network Channel Interface (NC/NCI^TM) codes, are described in:

• Technical Publication, Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), 77378.
• Telcordia Generic Requirements (GRs)/Technical References (TRs)/Special Reports (SRs)
• American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standard Publications

Pricing

Rate Structure

At the end of the initial service period, ATM service may be obtained on a month-to-month basis or for any of the specified fixed period Contract Service Arrangement (CSA). CSAs are described in CenturyLink Operating Companies Tariff F.C.C. No. 11 or in the state specific Tariffs/Catalogs/Price Lists and may qualify for the resale discount. Contact your CenturyLink Sales Executive for additional information.

CenturyLink rates, rate elements, and how they apply for ATM are described in QC RSS No.1 or in the state specific Tariffs/Catalogs/Price Lists.

Additional general resale rate structure information is located in Resale - General.

Rates

Rates are available in QC RSS No.1 or in the state specific Tariffs/Catalogs/Price Lists.

CenturyLink's rates for ATM , less any applicable resale discount, apply to resold ATM . Rates and/or discounts can be found in Exhibit A or the specific rate sheet in your Interconnection or Resale Agreement.

Existing Interstate Fixed Period Rate Plans which have expired, or are within three months of the expiration date, have the ability to subscribe to a new one year or greater Fixed Period Rate Plan and receive a discount on the current Monthly Recurring Charges for the tariff rates in the Fixed Period Service Rate Plan and a reduced Termination Liability Assessment percent. Contact your CenturyLink Sales Manager for additional information.

Additional information on expiring Interstate Fixed Rate Plans and their associated discounts is available in QC RSS No.1.

Tariffs, Regulations and Policy

You must contact your CenturyLink Sales Executive on each initial ATM request ordered via the ATM Service Request Form to establish a contract and to obtain a contract identification number. The initial service request for ATM must be for a fixed period as specified in QC RSS No.1 or the state specific Tariffs/Catalogs/Price ListsTariffs/Catalogs/Price Lists. At the end of the initial service period, the service may be obtained on a month-to-month basis or for any of the specified fixed periods.

Additional information is available in your Interconnection or Resale Agreement.

Optional Features

Optical Access Link (OAL) Protection is an option, which provides added reliability when ATM is transported over fiber optics. This feature provides a separate facility path within the same conduit, cable, sheath, etc. for the protection system between the serving wire center and the network interface. It is available on ATM 45 Mbps OAL and 155 Mbps OAL. This feature does not provide diversity into the building. This offering also requires the use of existing facilities.

Optical Access Link (OAL) Access Link Diversity is an option, which provides a standby protect fiber path, which is routed over facilities separated, from the normal path, by 25 feet or more. Fiber optic facility separation is from the first utility vault outside the serving wire center to the last utility vault or hand hole prior to the end-user's premises. OAL Diversity is subject to availability of facilities. When facilities are not available, special construction charges may be assessed. It is available on ATM 45 Mbps OAL and 155 Mbps OAL. This feature does not provide diversity into the building. This offering also requires the use of existing facilities.

Features/Benefits

Features	Benefits
Cost Effective	Since multiple logical connections can be established over a single physical access line, ATM can reduce the number of physical interfaces and reduces the number of access lines necessary for communications among multiple end-user locations.
Proactive Network Monitoring and network maintenance	Excellent network reliability and security.
Service Interworking	Full ATM integration with Frame Relay, CenturyLink High-Speed Internet™, Private Line, Internet Protocol service and Local Area Network (LAN) switching service.

Applications

ATM is ideal for data intensive business computing applications that require near-real-time mixed media, (e.g., data, video, and image) communications among multiple locations.

Implementation

Product Prerequisites

If you are a new CLEC and are ready to do business with CenturyLink, view Getting Started as a Facility-Based CLEC or Getting Started as a Reseller. If you are an existing CLEC wishing to amend your Interconnection Agreement or New Customer Questionnaire, additional information is located in Interconnection Agreement.

You must contact your CenturyLink Sales Executive on each initial ATM request to establish a contract when ordered on the IR ATM Service Request Form.

Pre-Ordering

General pre-ordering activities are described in the Pre-Ordering Overview.

Requirements for pre-ordering are described in Local Service Ordering Guidelines (LSOG) Pre-Order.

Customer Service Records (CSRs) for ATM can be obtained by calling or the CenturyLink Wholesale Interconnect Service Center.

When contacting the center, be prepared to provide the account telephone number or circuit number, proof of agency authorization, and your fax number. CenturyLink will fax the CSR to you.

Ordering

General ordering activities are described in the Ordering Overview.

When requesting the Resale Discount the following information must be provided in the RMKS Section on the ASR/LSR:

• Discount eligible
• Reseller ID (RSID)
• Billing Account Number, (BAN) if known

In addition:

• SPEC of FRRESLD must be placed in the SPEC field when requested via ASR

The Resale Discount can only be added with a valid ASR/LSR request.

A Design Layout Record (DLR) request is described in the EASE-LSR Extensible Markup Language (XML) Network Disclosure Document or the EASE-LSR User's Guide.

ATM is ordered by completing an ASR, LSR, or IR ATM Service Request Form. Your CenturyLink Account Manager/Service Manager will complete the order form with your assistance. For more information, contact Account Team / Sales Executives and Service Managers.

ASR Requests:

ASR requests utilize the following order entry options:

• Downloadable forms
• Electronic ASR order options OSS

Instructions and forms for ordering Frame Relay Service can be found on the ASR web page.

LSR Requests:

Resale ATM service requests are submitted using the following LSOG forms:

• LSR
• End User (EU)
• Resale Frame Relay (RFR)

Field entry requirements are described in the LSOG. ATM follows the same ordering guidelines as the Resale Frame Relay product type in the LSOG.

When placing your request, you must include the following:

• NC/NCI codes on the LSR form
• The contract number must be entered in the Variable Term Agreement (VTA) field on the LSR
• Number of Logical Connections (PVCs) in the NVC field on the RFR form
• Related circuit identification of the terminating end in the RECCKT field on the RFR
• Port speed in the PSPEED field on the RFR form
• In REMARKS on the RFR form, include the following:
  • Identify the type of access link, e.g., OAL, DS1 or SAOAL
  • Service Class for each Logical Connection
  • Bandwidth increment for each Logical Connection
  • Enter the Percent of Interstate Usage (PIU) of '100' if requesting an interstate circuit or PIU '0' for an intrastate circuit

For assistance contact your CenturyLink Sales Executive.

Provisioning and Installation

General provisioning and installation activities are described in the Provisioning and Installation Overview.

Firm Order Confirmation (FOC) intervals are found in the SIG.

A jeopardy situation occurs on an LSR request, if a condition exists that threatens timely completion. Jeopardy notification is described in the Provisioning and Installation Overview.

Maintenance and Repair

When placing trouble reports, the account telephone number and/or the circuit identification number must be provided.

General maintenance and repair activities are described in the Maintenance and Repair Overview.

Billing

On a monthly basis, CenturyLink will provide you with billing information that will provide summary account information as well as end-user sub-account information.

Carrier Access Billing Systems (CABS) billing is described in Billing Information - Carrier Access Billing Systems (CABS).

Training

Local CenturyLink 101 "Doing Business With CenturyLink"

• This introductory web-based training course is designed to teach the Local CLEC and Local Reseller how to do business with CenturyLink. It will provide a general overview of products and services, CenturyLink billing and support systems, processes for submitting service requests, reports, and web resource access information. Click here to learn more about this Training.

View additional CenturyLink courses in the Training Catalog.

Contacts

CenturyLink contact information is located in Wholesale Customer Contacts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I use CenturyLink ATM for video and voice service?
Yes, ATM supports video and voice applications using Constant Bit Rate (CBR) or Variable Bit Rate-real time (VBRrt) service categories.

2. Do I need fiber optic cabling?
No, ATM supports both optical and electrical interfaces.

1. Can I use CenturyLink ATM for video and voice service?
Yes, ATM supports video and voice applications using Constant Bit Rate (CBR) or Variable Bit Rate-real time (VBRrt) service categories.

2. Do I need fiber optic cabling?
No, ATM supports both optical and electrical interfaces.

3. Can I use ATM to connect to the Internet?
Yes.

Last Update: November 9, 2018

Last reviewed: April 3, 2024

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